We were cruising the dunes in Ocotillo Wells, California. It was a nice sunny day with great visibility. Though the area is mostly dunes, it is possible to encounter long stretches of level sand. From a distance such an area appears featureless. But looks can be deceiving. The lead driver… Continue reading
On my way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, my vehicle just plain died as I bottomed out from the entrance ramp to I-15. I had just fueled up in Vegas. As I coasted to the shoulder, I contemplated my options – see if I could find the… Continue reading
A student recently emailed asking for advice on how to perform certain repairs while off road. After responding, I realized that others could benefit from similar information. Handling breakdowns is one of the top fears expressed among my 4WD students. It’s impossible to cover every scenario in an article like… Continue reading
This mouth’s article is in response to a request generated by last month’s article. I have a question about tools.” Josh wrote in an email. “I can’t quite figure out what kind of tool kit I should make for off-road. Not necessarily recovery. But wondering if you have a go-to… Continue reading
We were well into a four-day drive through Death Valley. Our trip had taken us across the Slate Range of the Iyno Mountains into Panamint Valley. From there, we traveled through Gohler wash, and up and over Mengle Pass into Death Valley. By this time our fuel tanks were about… Continue reading
Time for a little short-but-sweet tough love. Four-wheeling involves near constant decision making. Numerous challenges face you along the trail. Whether you successfully navigate around or through those obstacles falls entirely on your shoulders. Sorry, my friend, but you can’t blame anyone else. Not your spotter. Not your mechanic. Not… Continue reading
You probably do a good job of inspecting your vehicle before each 4WD outing. After all, you’re concerned about possible breakdowns while on the trails. But does your vehicle get the same level of attention at the end of the trip? Drivers often are anxious to leave. They figure they’ll… Continue reading
Last month I impressed upon you the importance of storing the winch controller near the driver’s seat. (Read the article here.) This month I offer an even more important reminder: Buy at least two additional copies of the ignition key. Carry an extra copy when you’re out. Whether four-wheeling or… Continue reading
Over the years of off-road instructing, I have heard many concerns “ indeed, fears “ from newer drivers. (Even experienced four-wheelers have doubts from time to time.) The dozens of thoughts expressed by my students can be grouped into seven categories. Here are those top seven concerns, and how you… Continue reading
Tires are generally your number one problem driving off-road. Tires, by their nature, take a lot of abuse while off road. Trails are anything but smooth. Stuff happens! A stick jams into the sidewall; a rock that is ideal to skip across a lake slices the sidewall like butter; or… Continue reading
It’s a challenge every four-wheeler faces at some point: Should you hold onto the current vehicle or replace it? If you’re like most four wheelers you’ll hang on as long as possible. Something breaks, and you replace it. Another part snaps, and you head to the store. Or you take… Continue reading
Off-road vehicles aren’t exactly sports cars. In fact, just the opposite. We can’t safely drive then the same way as our family car. They take longer to stop, are less stable in fast turns, and sometimes have poor visibility. Poor drivers (the bottom 25%, or 1 in 4) don’t… Continue reading
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